FIRE writes today for the third time to inquire about the state of free expression at Marquette University. You will recall that FIRE initially wrote in September after an administrator removed a quote by humorist Dave Barry from a philosophy Ph.D. student’s office door. In your subsequent responses, you have stated that the removal of that quotation did not present a denial of academic freedom. You also stated that students and faculty are ordinarily permitted to post materials on their doors, but “it was only within the context of a complaint that this was questioned.”

This explanation is troubling because not all expression will appeal to all members of the community, and any environment of open inquiry is sure to invite disagreement. If Marquette values academic freedom—as its student handbook states and as you have made clear in letters to FIRE—then Marquette should tolerate the expression of political or ideological opinions, even in the context of a complaint.

Despite our numerous correspondences, three questions remain: First, was Stuart Ditsler within his rights to post the Barry quote? Second, are students and faculty free to post materials on their office doors, free from viewpoint discrimination? Third, do students and faculty at Marquette enjoy free speech rights comparable to those at any state college?

FIRE encourages Marquette to stand up for free expression on the Marquette campus. We request a response to this matter by January 26, 2007.